Orthodox Christmas
7 January
In keeping with Eastern Orthodox traditions, Christmas celebrations climax on 7 January throughout most of Belarus. Find an assortment of Christmas celebrations in and around Minsk.
Minsk Spring International Music Festival
March
This popular classical music festival is held at the Belarusian State Philharmonic, home to the Belarusian Philharmonic Orchestra, and features an impressive selection of composers and international musicians.
Victory Day
9 May
Thousands of soldiers young and old take to the city streets on 9 May to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany in WWII. Wreathes are laid at the memorials to Soviet soldiers, and surviving veterans are honoured. It is taken as a national holiday.
Minsk City Day
September
This citywide celebration sees all manner of free performances and entertainment, sports events and contests take place in squares, parks and public gardens across Minsk. Past years have seen craftsmen demonstrating the likes of traditional pottery and straw braiding, bands playing in Victory Park and fireworks over Komsomolskoye Lake.
Listapad International Film Festival
November
The country’s largest film festival champions national, regional and international film, and creates networking opportunities for creative talent. It has been going strong since 1994.